A worker was rescued after being trapped underneath rubble following the collapse of part of the Torre dei Conti in Rome. The incident occurred near the Roman Forum and close to the Colosseum. The man was freed around 11:00 PM local time on a night when he had been trapped for nearly twelve hours. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the Romanian foreign ministry, the injured man is a Romanian citizen, and another worker rescued from the site is also from Romania. Reports indicate that at least one person is in critical condition following the collapse. The Torre dei Conti, a medieval structure closed to the public for several years, was undergoing conservation work when the incident happened.
Officials, including Rome’s mayor, expressed hope for the trapped worker’s recovery. The Rome prefect described the rescue operation as complex, emphasizing the dangers involved. Firefighters created protective measures around the trapped man, which likely contributed to his survival during a second collapse of the structure that sent debris falling and clouds of dust into the air.
The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. During the rescue, one firefighter sustained an eye injury and was taken to the hospital, though others remained unharmed and continued with the search efforts.
While authorities stated that the tower’s disintegration was not imminent, precautionary measures were implemented, including the closure of surrounding streets. The Torre dei Conti, constructed in the 13th Century, was originally built by Pope Innocent III as a residence for his brother. Rescue efforts involved the use of a crane and a drone to assist in the operation, as officials monitored the situation closely.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3kz7jxe0po?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss